Cerno’s expanding; Kewanee Brewing Co. starting up

Thursday

Jun 19, 2014 at 7:00 AM

Mike Berry

Big things are in the works for the former Boswell Distributing property in downtown Kewanee.John Cernovich, who with Brian Crabtree is the proprietor of Cerno’s Bar and Grill, bought the warehouse — which extends from the west wall of the bar to Chestnut Street — from Dave Boswell last year.The first development in the warehouse space was a new kitchen for Cerno’s. Now, Cernovich said, three new projects are in development:- The bar and grill will be expanded into the space just to the west.- The golf simulation facility that Cernovich has been operating in a building on West Fifth Street will be moved to the warehouse.- And a local tradition will be revived when the Kewanee Brewing Company starts making beer in the west end of the warehouse.Work began this week on the restaurant-bar expansion. A space that’s approximately the same width as the existing Cerno’s will be converted into additional seating.Cernovich said two new booths will be added to the existing Cerno’s and the teller’s cage and glass display case will be moved to allow access to the new area through the Third Street entrance.In the space just west of Cerno’s, one of the tin walls and the tin ceiling will be restored, and the original wood floor will be refinished. The tin will be removed from the west wall and the brick beneath it will be exposed. New men’s and women’s restrooms will be added.For anyone concerned about the historic back bar in Cerno’s, Cernovich said, “Nothing structurally’s going to change with the bar.”The new seating area will provide extra space for diners, and for large groups and private parties.The expansion is to be completed by Hog Days, Cernovich said. But other changes have already taken place at Cerno’s.Several entrees that had been offered only one night a week — such as steaks and salmon — along with new entrees such as Chicken or Shrimp Fettuccine and Teriyaki Chicken --- are now available Mondays through Saturdays. And monthly “chef specials” are available on Fridays and Saturdays.A brewing facility is being constructed for the Kewanee Brewing Company in the former produce store — and Rinella Distributing warehouse — at the corner of Chestnut and Third.Cernovich said the original mahogany ceiling beams will be kept, and plans are to set up an area where customers can sample the brews.Plywood will be removed from what once were the windows of the former store and new windows will be put in.The brewery will take a little longer than the restaurant expansion to finish, and Cernovich said even after it’s done, it will be several weeks before any beer is ready for sale.“We are very excited about the restaurant expansion, golf facility and brewery,” Cernovich said. “We again would like to thank all our customers from Kewanee and all the surrounding areas that travel to see us. We hope to keep bringing new and exciting things to Cerno’s and Kewanee.”